Expected release date is 30th Jul 2024 |
1800+ pages, 2 volumes (hardback), with Scripture, subject, and name indexes
Book Description
The Divorce of Israel presents a “redemptive-historical” approach to Revelation. As such it provides a fully orthodox preterist interpretation of the Apostle John’s great prophecy, while presenting a “Now/Not Yet” understanding of the conclusion of Revelation, with the coming of the New Heavens and New Earth. In it John is presenting a forensic drama wherein God is divorcing his old covenant wife Israel so that he can take a new bride, the new covenant “Israel of God” composed of Jew and Gentile alike.
John’s drama builds upon numerous Old Testament passages while expanding on Jesus’ Olivet Discourse. That Discourse declared God’s judgment on unfaithful Israel’s beloved temple and her holy city. God’s divorce results in first-century geo-political Israel’s judgment by capital punishment for spiritual adultery in rejecting her Messiah, declaring she has no king but Caesar, and persecuting the Messiah's new covenant family.
Thus, Revelation presents the vitally important redemptive-historical transition from the land-based, ethnically-focused, typologically-oriented, temple-dominated old covenant economy to its worldwide, pan-ethnic, spiritual new covenant fulfillment which spiritually anticipates the consummate, material, eternal new creation wherein dwells righteousness.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword by Martin Selbrede
Preface
1. Introduction
2. Superscription And Beatitude (1:1–3)
3. Greeting and Theme (1:4–8)
4. The Commissioning Vision (1:9–20)
5. Seven Oracles (2:1—3:22)
6. The Court Scene (4:1–11)
7. The Seven-Sealed Book (5:1–14)
8. The Seals Opened: The First Six Seals (6:1–17)
9. Two Interludes (7:1–17)
10. The Seals Opened: The Seventh Seal (8:1–5)
11. The Seven Trumpet Angels: The First Six Trumpets (8:6—9:21)
12. Third Interlude: The Little Book and John’s Action (10:1–11)
13. Fourth Interlude: The Measured Temple and Two Witnesses (11:1–13)
14. The Seven Trumpet Angels: The Seventh Trumpet (11:14–19)
15. The Sun-Clothed Woman And the Red Dragon (12:1–17)
16. The Beast From the Sea (13:1–10)
17. The Beast From the Land (13:11–18)
18. Visions of Blessing and Judgment (14:1–20)
19. The Seven Last Plagues (15:1—16:21)
20. The Harlot of Babylon and the Beast (17:1–18)
21. The Fall of Babylon the Harlot (18:1—19:5)
22. The Final Victory of the Lamb (19:6–21)
23. Satan’s Ruin and Final Judgment (20:1–15)
24. The New Creation’s Coming (21:1–8)
25. The New Jerusalem Bride (21:9–27
26. New Heaven and New Earth (22:9–17)
27. Final Testimonies and Admonition (22:6–15)
28. The Final Attestation and Blessing (22:16–21)
Endorsements
“The interpretation of the book of Revelation is a daunting task, not one that should be undertaken lightly or without an awareness of the diversity of opinion regarding its authorship, date of writing, and the myriad of approaches to the interpretation of its prophetic visions. Ken Gentry’s commentary is up to the task. While making a case for his distinctly preterist, historical-redemptive interpretation of the book, he respectfully and keenly engages interpreters with whom he differs. Among recent commentaries on Revelation, Gentry’s extensive, two-volume work deserves to be included as arguably the most thorough representation of the (partial) preterist approach.”
Cornelis Venema, Ph.D.
President of Mid-America Reformed Seminary
Author, The Promise of the Future
“Ken Gentry’s two-volume exposition of the book of Revelation is no doubt the most thorough treatment of that work from an essentially preterist point of view to date. Yet Gentry is careful to emphasize not only the historical setting of Revelation leading up to the fall of Jerusalem to the Romans in AD 70, but especially the redemptive meaning of the book, which is the divine divorce of Israel due to her idolatry which culminated in the rejection of Jesus. Thus the seven churches of Revelation are a warning to Jewish Christians not to turn back to an irrelevant and discarded Judaism. The seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments describe God’s systematic defeat of Israel and ultimately the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple by the Romans from AD 66-70. Revelation finishes with the majestic portrayal of God’s new wife, the church of the New Covenant which is the New Jerusalem. Both the theology and the historical details of Gentry’s magnum opus will appeal to interested readers in Revelation for years to come.”
C. Marvin Pate, Ph.D.
Chair of Theology
Ouachita Baptist University
“Gentry's writings have largely set the standard for orthodox preterist writings but now, with this commentary, he for sure leads the pack. Agree with it, in full or in details, this commentary has much to offer all who care to grapple with his views. I commend it highly. You have not studied the Book of Revelation fully until you have done so.
Jay Adams, Ph.D.
Author, The Time Is At Hand: Prophecy and the Book of Revelation
“Gentry has devoted much of his scholarly career to understanding and elucidating the book of Revelation, and the present work is a veritable goldmine of exegetical insights. He offers here arguably the most extensive, vigorous preterist exegesis of Revelation in at least a generation. Non-preterist interpreters of Revelation must reckon with Gentry if they are to be taken seriously.”
P. Andrew Sandlin, STD
Founder and President, Center for Cultural Leadership
Author, A Postmillennial Primer
“With fresh exegesis, creative application, and a keen sensitivity to recurring canonical themes, patterns, and types, Gentry deftly offers a near-exhaustive analysis of the Revelator's vision that is as fruitful as it is hopeful. These volumes belong on the shelves of every pastor, scholar, and student."
Dustin Messer, Th.D.
Biblical Worldview and Cultural Engagement Coordinator, Legacy Christian Academy (Frisco, TX)
Fellow at the National Review Institute
"Dr. Kenneth Gentry’s long awaited commentary on Revelation is the standard for partial preterism and the big challenge for futurism and idealism. He as the leading Revelation scholar proves why the redemptive-historical interpretation is the most convincing method to unveil Revelation, the conclusion of the Bible."
Youngmog Song, Ph.D.
Professor of New Testament at Kosin University, S. Korea
"Reads like a historical conspiracy thriller! But it really happened! Since I was raised on the silliness of Hal Lindsey, and then the nonsense of Left Behind, Reading The Divorce of Israel was like reading the book of Revelation for the first time, wondering what was going to happen next. And Gentry's masterful storytelling exegesis does not disappoint. The facts are much more satisfying than all those End Times fictions out there. Preterism has been a growing movement within Christendom, but this commentary is a Biblical trumpet of the last days of "Left Behind" eschatology."
Brian Godawa
Author, best-selling novel series, Chronicles of the Apocalypse
Readers' responses
Brother Gentry, thank you for the excellent commentary. I learned several years ago that you were going to publish it. I waited all the years and was overjoyed when ordering was announced. The introductory material is outstanding and sets the tone for letter.
Thanks again and may God bless you daily.
D. E. C.
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Just wanted to let you know I received your two volume set - The divorce of Israel ... they look beautiful and I am very excited to start reading... You must be very pleased to finally see the publication of all your hard labor ; and then to have the first printing sell out in only three weeks must be very encouraging and rewarding... well done sir!
R.P.
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Got my treasured Commentary last evening- started reading and could not put it down- page 84 begins this morning. I can’t imagine the time and energy that made this happen- deeply in debt to your labor of love!
Dennis Darville
Showing reviews 1-10 of 32 | Next
Posted by Bruce on 6th Jan 2025
There is nothing like this two volume set, and I will give a few of the things I like that are most important to me.
Gentry is very thorough and notes carefully the trajectory of the prior writers on the major points. One can easily see who has taken a certain position and when the work was published, which can be very helpful.
Gentry is not shy about stating his conclusions, but he is fair to to those who differ with him. This is important since his conclusions often constitute minority views.
His discussions on preterism and redemptive-historical thought and their interpretations of passages are very clear and helpful. This is the main reason I bought this set, and I am not disappointed.
One example of how his treatment of important passages is very compelling is Babylon, for which the scholarly consensus = Rome. This is easy to see and agree with, until one sees what Gentry brings out. His careful exegesis makes his case for Babylon as stiff necked, adulterous Israel clear and convincing. Even though it is a minority position, I will have no difficulties making this case in my own work on Revelation.
The indexes are thorough and discussions of Greek words use transliterations, so that further study fairly is easy for those who don't read Greek. Excurses are well placed and well written.
Quotes from earlier authors are numerous and helpful but not overwhelming. Its recent date makes it a terrific source that covers even the more recent and important works like Beale, Aune, Osborne, etc.
I would suggest an abridged version such as the one Beale did, in order that the riches of this work would be available to those who feel that they are unable to either afford or make use of this one of a kind set.
Posted by Stephen P Gentry on 31st Dec 2024
I'm proud of my father for completing this and I've thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It is very easy to read and deeply informative.
Posted by Bill on 9th Nov 2024
Just finished the introduction (200 pages)...Excellent! The intro could stand on its own. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the Commentary. It is well laid out, easy to read, presents many perspectives (with references). If you have a serious interest in Revelation...this is a must read!
Posted by Alden MacKenzie on 3rd Nov 2024
I recently finished the introduction and started the actual commentary, so I still have a long ways to go. It is already obvious, however, how much research and study must have gone into this work. It is very detailed, yet still clear and easy to follow along! I am enjoying working through it! The physical books themselves are also high quality and very nicely bound!
Posted by Daniel Depelteau on 2nd Nov 2024
I’m an economist. It matters to mention it with respect to a publication about biblical interpretation. I’m a son of the Most High. The goal of my life is to contribute, to the largest extent of my abilities, to the growth of the Kingdom of Christ. I look at the world from a very down to earth point of view. Nonetheless, I need to find my way as a son of God in the world that he created because I love Him into eternity.
I didn’t go to Bible School. My culture of eschatology was always self-made, not comprehensive. Nothing that I tried to learn, including theological studies, could help to understand the world as it is, until I read Kenneth Gentry’s “He Shall Have Dominion” and “Before Jerusalem Fell”. Then I saw a systematic logic that matched the world I understood as an economist.
Upon reading “The Divorce of Israël”, one is struck by the consistency and thoroughness of Kenneth Gentry’s analysis. He leaves no stones unturned. At a cornerstone, there is the principle that the events of “Revelation” took place around 70 AD. This alone shifts entirely one’s perception of what “Revelation” is all about and sets it in a perspective that resonates with reality. It allows one to position himself clearly on the time path of the Kingdom and be able to see what is coming next. I recommend very strongly the study of “The Divorce of Israel”.
Posted by Lynn Marshall on 21st Oct 2024
I've been an avid reader of Gentry's books over the years. His book, He Shall Have Dominion, was what brought me out of a dispensational Baptist church into a Reformed church. I have often wished that there was a good preterist commentary on Revelation to balance out my amillennial commentaries (Kistemaker & Beale).
I finally have one! The introduction is gold on its own. Gentry's perspective and discussion in the commentary portion (which I am just starting) is revealing approaches in explanation of other writers that I might have skipped over with little notice -
to my detriment. This commentary is one that I wholeheartedly recommend and will shortly be putting to use as I'm an elder and teacher in my local congregation and licensed to preach as well.
Posted by Keith Cole on 17th Oct 2024
One of my cats loves the box,I didn't think she would fit in it. She has been loving the box as I keep the temperature pretty low in the Winter. Of course I soon as I climb in bed with the heated blanket she doesn't miss a beat and sleep on the bed with me. As far as the commentary goes. I think it is very good, been waiting for it for many years. I'm a slow reader with attention defecit disorder and I'm guessing it will take a year or so to read it.
Posted by Mark on 16th Oct 2024
This was worth the wait! Hands down the best commentary on Revelation. I’ve completely read volume one and am staring volume two. It is very thorough and comprehensive, engaging with all the relevant literature, but it is also easily accessible. My only concern is that it is not very available and it deserves a widespread audience. I also would love to see it available on Logos so that it could be easily used for thorough research.
Posted by Todd Matthews on 8th Oct 2024
I received my order quickly and in good shape. I'm pleased with the quality of the books, not to mention the content. I've always had good service when ordering from Dr. Gentry's website. Blessings!
Posted by Unknown on 8th Oct 2024
I like his view on eschatology and the partial preterist outlook.
Showing reviews 1-10 of 32 | Next